Gas holder



Dec. 6, 1927.

1,651,892 G. T. HoRToN GAS HOLDER A v Filed Feb. 2s. 192m s sheyets-sneet 1 l 22 a" 3 Z0)` `1 A* 11 25 5 zz l lvzezor.- gl/ozom yQj/w #ri/@ fzm A Ciiyl Dern 6, 1927. 1,651,892

G. T. HoRrcN GAS HOLDER Filed Feb. 25, 1927 5 Sheets-'Sheet 2 Dec. 6, 1927.

. G. T. HORTON GAS HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 2s,- 1927 @aww W M .l Patented-Dec. 6, 1927.

GEORGE T. HORTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Gas HOLDER.

' Application led February 23, 1227. Serial No. 170,250. y

This yinvention relates to improvements in4 as holders and more ,especially such a gas lolder substantially in the shape ot' a sphere, and supported onlegs attached to the sphere a substantial distance below, or inside ofthe equator,

Obviously7 there is a great advantage in supporting such a spherical type gas holder con legs attached to the shell on the line of a v circle substantially smaller than the equator, or great circle. When the legs are so arranged, they may be considerably shorter than if attached at the equator, with a con'- sequent saving in labor and material. -Such le s being drawn in from the equator, also eect a saving of space around the gas holder.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of means in connection with a gas holder of the type described, to prevent undue distortion of the shell from variations in the as pressure inside. Obviously, a spherical s ell so supported tends to Hatten out to a certain extent when the gas pressure inside the sphere to round up again. If such sscwtaken as indicated is lessened. This is due to theweight of the upper half of the shell bearing down on the -rest of the structure when the gas pressure inside is diminished. `.When the gas pressure' is increased, however, it-supports' the weight of the upper half to a large extent, causing tendencies of the sphere .to change its shape or be distorted are not prevented, there lwill be a straining at the joints with a conse. quent leakage and weakening of the structure. y Another feature of my invention is to provide means for so bracing the sphere against distortion, which means can also be used to assist in the erection of the gas holder.

Other features and advantages of my in.-

vention will appear more fully as I lprovceed with my specification.

In that form of the device embodying ,the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view partially in side elevation and-partially in vertical section, Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated b the line 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view ta en as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a view partially in top plan and partially in horizontalsection, Fig. 5 vis a yb the line 5 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a view looliing foundations and legs with the spherical shell removed, Fig.' 7 is an enlarged view in Side elevation of one of the legs, and Fig. 8 is a view taken as indicated by the line 8 of.

Fig. 7.

As shown in the drawings, the gas holder comprises a substantially spherical shell 10 made in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means lof steel plates suitably joined together. For the purpose of illustration I have. here shown a plurality of these'plates as indicated by 10', each conformed Ito the necessary curvature so that when..fastened together a substantially spherical I,shell 10 will be produced. =For the purpose 'f illustration, also, .L have shown the plates 10', 10 as joinedltogether by means of the butt straps 11, it/ being understood that the joints ma be formed in any well-known manner as, or example, by rivetingr welding.

The shell l0 is supported on a plurality'v 'of relatively short legs, here shown as four in number, which are attached to the sphere on the line of a circle lying in a hor1zontalplane and having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of a great circle of the cated in general by 12, 12 vare attached to the shell at points lying in a circle having a diameter of substantially two-thirds the diameter of a'great circle of the shell.

The details of the leo' construction are probably best shown. in Figs. 7 and v8, Where 13 indicates the foundation upon which the leg rests and 14, 14 indicate substantlally triangular shaped flat plates parallel to each other and joined by two vertical` channel irons 15, 15. v'The bottom edge of each of the plates 14 is straight and horizontal and rests upon the foundation 13. Each bottom edge is also stifened and braced by means of an angle iron 16 rivetedto its outer face. Thel upper edge of each of theplates 14 1s curved to conform-to the curvature ofthe shell 10 and is attached to the shell by meansy of a curved angle iron 17 riveted to the outer face of th upperedgeof the rivreted to the shell 10.

plate14. and also shall now describe the interior Ibracingconstituting the means for bracing theV shell-- against distortion lwhich' might otherwise be caused vby variations inthe gas pressure inside of the shell. Such means .comprises four vertical posts 18, 18 inside ofthe shell, having their' lower ends attached-to the shell, one substantially above each of the legs 12. The posts 18 carry at their upper ends truss members having their ends extendin fclose to the wall of the shell; and theI she lA wall is provided with lugs or shoes adapted tov rest upon the ends of such truss members. These lugs or shoes on the shell wall are arranged at points only a slight distance above the equator, so that the truss-members may therefore carry a portion of theV weight of substantially the upperhalf of the shell. Preferably, the lugs .or shoes are not attached to the truss members, so that with an increase of gas pressure they are free to be lifted olf of or rise from the truss ineinbers. Obviously, the particular arrangement of the trusses and bracing inside of the shell may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

For the purpose of illustration, I have here shown the bracing as comprising four truss members 19, 19 arranged in the form of a square carried by the posts 18, the ends of the members 19 crossing where supported by the posts so that their ends as indicated by 19a, project outwardly beyond such posts to points close to lthe wal-l of the shell.

There are also provided two diametrically arranged trusses 20, 20 crossing in the center, parallel with they trusses 19 and bi-secting the same. The trusses 20, 20 are carried by the trusses 19, 19, and the ends of the former also extend out to points near inner wall 'of the shell where there are also provided additional lugs or shoes similar to those justdescribed.l It will be seen, therefore, that a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of the shell may be carried on the ends of these trusses at twelve points. In Fig. 5 I- have shown the end of one of the trusses 20 and have indicated the lug or shoe on the inner wall of the shell 10 by 21, such lug or shoe here shown as comprising an L-` shaped member having its vertical part fastened tothe shell 10 by means of the rivets 22, and its horizontal part adapted to rest on the upper side of the triangular bearing plate 20a carried at the end of the truss 20. AIt is `to-be noted that the bearing plate 20a and the member 21 are provided withV aligned holes 23, but' such holes are provided merely for the purpose of temporary bolts during construction to assist in erection, after which the bolts are removed. This permits the member 21 to rise olf of the bearing plates or seats 20EL in the event there is a tendency .for this action due to increased gas pressure inside of the shell, o r excessive heat.

A ny suitable construction may be used for half of making the trusses 19, and 20; vand for the purpose ofillustration, I have here shown these trusses as comprising an upperchord 2li-'andl lower chord 25 suitably joined by struts and braces 26. Tli e`construction of the trusses -19 and 20V are substantially the same, andit is to be understoodlthat the end of each truss extends outto a point close tothe vwall and carries a bearing plate or seat 20f, the shell at each of such points being provided with a shoe or lug as indicatedsby 2l in Fig. 5, to rest upon the'bearing plate 20 and take `some of the weight of the upper half of the shell when the gas pressure inside is diminished.

In the erection of the gas holder after the bottom plates are in place and the legs 12, 12 erected, the posts 18 and cross trusses 19 ai'id'2() may then be put up and used as scaffolding to assist in the erection of the remainder of the shell.

Although I have shown four legs'to support the sphere, obviously more or poibly fewer, could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention. Also, there could be considerable variation in the manner and detail of constructing the interior bracing. Preferably, however, such interior bracing should be supported substantially above'the legs, andv so arrangedY that it can assist in supporting a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of the shell when the gas pressure inside is diminshed.

It will be seen thaty by the use of the interior bracing as shown with the members 21 resting on the ends of the trusses, that such interior bracing is adapted to carry a portion of the weight of most of the upper half of the shell directly on the legs. This prevents or substantially lessens the distortion that otherwise would be caused when the gas pressureisdiminished. The upper the shell is domed or arched,4 and hence will not itself distort materially if supported at points near its lower edge. It

is to be noted that it is so supported, since the lugs or shoes 21 are attached only a short distance above the equator, thus permitting them. to carry a portion of the weight Vof substantially the upper half of the shell.

When thus supported, a substantial part of the weight ofthe upper half is taken off of the rest of the shell, thus preventing or lessening the distortion of the shell at other places.

Vhile I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to broadly as possible in view of lthe prior art.

What I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical shell supported on legs attached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; an interior bracing 1n said shell vadapted to carry'a portion of the weightof substantially the upper half of said shell, said interior bracingv supported in said shell on points lying substantially above saidflegs. v

2. A. gas holder comprising: a substantially spherical shell supported on legsfattached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially two-thirds that ofpa great circle; aninterior bracing in said shell adapted to carry a portion of the weight of substantially `the upper half pfV said shell, said interior bracing supported 1n v said shell on points lying substantially above said legs.

3. A gas holder comprising, a substantially spherical shell supported on legs attached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; an interior bracing in said shell adapted to carry a porti-on of the Hweight of substantially the upper half of w Y substantially above said legs. l

. 5. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical shell supported on legs attached to the shell on the lme of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; and means adapted to carry a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of said shell .directly on said'legs, sald means comprising interior bracing earried by members supported in said shell on points substantially above said legs, and members on theinner wall of the shell near the lower' edge of the upper halfl thereof adapted to rest-,on said bracing, so that said v bracing can bear a portion of the weight vof substantially the upper half of said shell.

6. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical shell supported on legs attached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; and means adapted to carry' a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of said shell directly on saidlegs, said means comprising interior bracing carried by members supported said shell 0n points substantially above said legs, and members on .the inner Wall of the shell near the lower edge of the upper half- 4 thereof adapted to rest on said bracing, but

diameter'substantially less than that of av great circle; and means for carrying a portion of the weight of substantially-the upper half of the shell directly on' the legs, said means including vertical posts inside of the shell substantially directlyabove the legs, truss members carriedby the posts having their ends extending substantially to the wall of the shell and vmembers fastened to the wall of the shell near the lower edge of the upper half thereof and adapted to rest on the ends of said truss members.

8. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical shell supported on legs attached Ito the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of great circle; and means for carrying a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of the shell directly on the legs, said means including vertical posts ,inside of the shell substantially directly above the legs, but not attached thereto, truss members carried b the posts having their ends extending su stantially to the wall'of the shell, and members fastened to the wall of the shell near the lower edge of the upper half thereof and adapted to rest on the ends of said truss members.

9. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical shell supported onlegs attached to the shell on: the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; and means for carrying a portion ofthe weight of substantially the upper halfl of the shell directly on the legs, said i means including vertical posts inside of the shell substantially directly above the legs, crossed truss vmembers carried by the posts and having their ends extending substantially to the wall of the shell, and members fastened to the wall of the shellnear the lower 1 edge of the upper half thereof and adapted to rest on the ends of said .truss members. 10. A gas holder comprising; a substan- 'tially spherical shell supported on legs attached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantiallyl less than that ofl a great circle; and means for carrying a portion of the weight of substantially the upper half of the shell directly on the legs, said means includin vertical posts inside of the shell substantlally directly above the legs, but not attached thereto, crossed trussed members carried by the posts and having their ends extending substantially to the wall of the shell, and members fastened to the Wall of the ishell near the lower edge of the upper half thereof and adapted to rest on the ends of said'v truss members.

11. A gas holder comprising; a substantially spherical 'shellsupported on legs attached to the shell on the line of a circle having a diameter substantially less than that of a great circle; an interior bracing in said shell ada ted to carry a port-ion of the Weight o substantially the upper half of said shell, said interior bracing supported in said shell on points lying substantially above said legs, and said interior bracing capable of being erected before they completion of the vshell to serve as scaffolding-to assist f completing` the erection of the shell.

12. A gas holder comprising; a substans.- 2o

.of the weight of substantially the upper half of said shell, said interior bracing supported Ain said shell on points lying substantiallyl above the'supports for the shell.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st of February, A. D. 1927.

GEORGE T. HORTON. 

